Uruguay: Meat Market 2025

Meat Market Size in Uruguay

The Uruguayan meat market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2022, after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. Meat consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Meat Production in Uruguay

In value terms, meat production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of X%. Meat production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of meat in Uruguay reached X kg per head in 2022, surging by X% on the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the yield increased by X%. The meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, number of animals slaughtered for meat production in Uruguay reduced to X heads, which is down by X% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals recorded a slight setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of X%. The number of animals slaughtered for meat production peaked at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Meat Exports

Exports from Uruguay

In 2022, exports of meat from Uruguay reduced rapidly to X tons, waning by X% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by X% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, meat exports expanded to $X in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by X% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for meat exports from Uruguay, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, meat exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (X tons), sevenfold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China stood at X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (X% per year) and the Netherlands (X% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for meat exports from Uruguay, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to China amounted to X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (X% per year) and the Netherlands (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Japan (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Meat Imports

Imports into Uruguay

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of meat, when their volume increased by X% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by X%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, meat imports rose markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of meat to Uruguay, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, meat imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Paraguay (X tons), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Brazil totaled X%.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constituted the largest supplier of meat to Uruguay, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Paraguay ($X), with an X% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Brazil stood at X%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average meat import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by X% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Paraguay ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (X%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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